Christmas Jam Recipe

Posted on October 18, 2025

Make your holidays even brighter with this delightful Christmas Jam Recipe! This festive cranberry and strawberry jam is perfect for enhancing your Christmas breakfasts or brunches and makes a thoughtful gift for loved ones. With its vibrant colors and warm spices, this jam embodies the spirit of the season. Easy to prepare in a slow cooker, it’s a flavorful addition that can elevate any dish or simply be enjoyed on toast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Preparation: With just a few ingredients, this recipe requires minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor.
Festive Flavor: The combination of cranberries and strawberries, along with warm spices, creates a unique taste that captures the essence of holiday cheer.
Perfect for Gifting: This jam makes an excellent homemade gift for family and friends during the holiday season.
Versatile Use: Enjoy it on toast, pancakes, or as a topping for desserts like cheesecake or yogurt.
Large Batch: This recipe yields enough jam to serve 20 people, making it great for gatherings.

Tools and Preparation

To make your Christmas jam efficiently, having the right tools is key. Below are some essential kitchen tools you’ll need.

Essential Kitchen Tools

Slow cooker
Blender (or immersion blender)
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon

Why These Tools Matter

Slow cooker: Perfect for hands-off cooking, allowing you to set it and forget it while the flavors meld together beautifully.
Blender: Essential for achieving that smooth jam consistency without over-blending.
Measuring cups & spoons: Ensure accuracy in your ingredients for balanced flavors.

Ingredients

Make a festive cranberry/strawberry jam for the holidays! Great for serving for Christmas breakfasts or brunches or gift giving.

For the Jam

24 oz. fresh cranberries (about 6 cups)
16 oz. fresh strawberries
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 cups brown sugar

How to Make Christmas Jam Recipe

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Add all ingredients into your slow cooker and stir them well to combine.

Step 2: Cook the Mixture

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during this time. This allows the flavors to develop fully.

Step 3: Blend to Desired Consistency

Once cooking is complete, carefully transfer the mixture from the slow cooker into a blender. Pulse until you achieve a jam-like consistency. Be careful not to over blend; otherwise, you may end up with cranberry butter. An immersion blender can also be used if preferred.

Step 4: Allow to Thicken

Let the jam cool down; it will thicken significantly as it cools due to the natural pectin in cranberries.

Step 5: Store Your Jam

Once cooled, transfer your delicious Christmas jam into jars or airtight containers for storage. Enjoy within a few weeks or share with loved ones!

How to Serve Christmas Jam Recipe

Christmas jam is a delightful spread that can elevate your holiday meals. This versatile jam pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, making it a perfect addition to your festive table.

On Toast or Bagels

Warm Toast: Spread the jam generously on warm buttered toast for a cozy breakfast.
Bagels: Use it as a topping on toasted bagels, adding cream cheese for a delicious flavor contrast.

With Cheese

Cheese Board: Pair the jam with assorted cheeses like brie or goat cheese for a savory and sweet combination.
Grilled Cheese: Add a layer of jam inside your grilled cheese sandwich for an unexpected twist.

As a Glaze

Meat Glaze: Brush the jam over roasted chicken or turkey during the last 15 minutes of cooking for a flavorful glaze.
Vegetable Roast: Toss vegetables like carrots and Brussels sprouts in the jam before roasting for enhanced sweetness.

On Pancakes or Waffles

Breakfast Treat: Drizzle over pancakes or waffles instead of syrup for a festive touch to your brunch.
Yogurt Parfaits: Layer in yogurt parfaits with granola and fresh fruits for added flavor.

How to Perfect Christmas Jam Recipe

To ensure your Christmas jam turns out perfectly, here are some helpful tips.

Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh cranberries and strawberries to achieve the best flavor and texture.
Monitor Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the slow cooker; do not open it during cooking as this affects consistency.
Pulse Carefully: When blending, pulse gently to avoid turning your mixture into cranberry butter.
Cool Completely: Allow the jam to cool fully before storing it in jars to maintain its texture.
Experiment with Spices: Feel free to adjust spices according to your taste preferences; cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth while ginger brings zest.
Store Properly: Use sterilized jars for storage, ensuring they are sealed well to prolong freshness.

Best Side Dishes for Christmas Jam Recipe

Christmas jam complements many delicious side dishes that can enhance your festive meal. Here are some great options you can serve alongside.

Savory Scones: Fluffy scones made with herbs pair wonderfully with sweet jams.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The richness of mashed potatoes contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the jam.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Caramelized sprouts bring out natural sweetness that works well with the flavors of the jam.
Honey-Glazed Carrots: These sweet carrots harmonize beautifully with the tartness of cranberry-strawberry jam.
Spinach Salad: A fresh spinach salad topped with nuts and dried fruits can be elevated by a dollop of jam as dressing.
Cheesy Garlic Bread: The warmth and cheesiness of garlic bread create an intriguing pairing when enjoyed with fruity jams.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making Christmas Jam can be simple, but there are common pitfalls that can affect the outcome. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:

Skipping the Prepping Step: Always rinse your cranberries and strawberries. This ensures you remove any dirt or impurities that could affect flavor.
Overcooking the Jam: Keep an eye on the cooking time. Cooking too long can lead to a jam that’s too thick or even burnt.
Ignoring Texture: Blend just enough to achieve a jam-like consistency. Over-blending can turn your jam into a puree instead of a chunky spread.
Not Allowing to Cool Properly: Letting the jam cool before storing is essential. This helps it thicken properly and enhances the flavors.
Using Incorrect Containers: Store your jam in airtight containers to keep it fresh. Avoid using containers that aren’t meant for preserving food.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator Storage

Store your Christmas Jam in glass jars or airtight containers.
It can last up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator if stored correctly.

Freezing Christmas Jam Recipe

Use freezer-safe containers or resealable bags.
Your jam will maintain its best quality for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Reheating Christmas Jam Recipe

Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and place the jar in a baking dish with water. Heat until warm.
Microwave: Transfer a portion of jam into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in short intervals, stirring in between until warm.
Stovetop: Place on low heat in a saucepan, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Christmas Jam Recipe?

Christmas Jam Recipe is a delightful blend of fresh cranberries and strawberries, perfect for spreading on toast during holiday breakfasts.

How long does Christmas Jam last?

When stored properly, your homemade Christmas Jam can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer.

Can I customize my Christmas Jam Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different spices or add other fruits like blueberries for unique flavors.

Is this recipe suitable for gift-giving?

Yes, this jam makes a wonderful gift! Just jar it up nicely and add a festive label for an adorable touch.

How do I know when my jam has thickened?

The jam will thicken as it cools. If you notice it’s still too runny after cooling, try simmering it gently on low heat until it reaches your desired thickness.

Conclusion

This Christmas Jam Recipe is not only delicious but also versatile enough for various occasions. Whether you’re serving it at breakfast or gifting it, you can customize it with different spices or fruits to suit your taste. Try making this festive treat today!